Giants to honor inspirational Brentwood boy

Raymond Beasley V, a fifth-grader from Brentwood and survivor of multiple brain tumor surgeries, will be honored before Wednesday night’s Giants game in San Francisco, the result of an award-winning essay he wrote for a Major League Baseball contest.

Raymond Beasley V, a fifth-grader from Brentwood was one of two winners picked from more than 19,000 entries into a Major League Baseball essay writing contest. (Photo courtesy of the Beasley family)

The contest, “Breaking Barriers: In Sports, In Life,” garnered entries from more than 19,000 young people across the country. Beasley was picked as the grand prize winner.

In his essay (read it here), Beasley describes the challenges he overcame after being diagnosed with a brain tumor the size of a lime at the age of 4 and undergoing a 14-hour surgery to remove it. The tumor would return three months later, requiring chemotherapy and another surgery.

The second surgery left Beasley deaf in one ear and numb on one side of his face, which would require yet another surgery to correct.

Despite all of his medical issues, Beasley emerged from the ordeal with his health — and optimism — intact.

“In the end, it’s a blessing that I can enjoy life just like the other kids,” he wrote. “Most people think I’m brave but I’m just committed to thinking only good thoughts, even when I’m sad or afraid.”

In addition to the ceremony before the first pitch on Wednesday’s game, Beasley’s school — R. Paul Krey Elementary in Brentwood — will host Sharon Robinson, daughter of baseball legend and Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson, earlier in the day.

“I am honored that the values my father used to break the color barrier have played such a large role in helping so many young people break through their own barriers,” Robinson said.

Beasley, along with Robinson, will be honored again by baseball Commissioner Bud Selig at this year’s All-Star Game.